Status of Workers Bill [HL]

A Bill to make provision for the creation of a single status for workers by amending the meaning of “employee”, “worker”, “employer” and related expressions in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, the Employment Rights Act 1996 and cognate legislation; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Lords

Last Updated

29 May 2024

In Plain English

AI-generated

The Bill aims to create a single 'status' for people who work by redefining how the law describes 'employee', 'worker' and 'employer' across major employment statutes. It seeks to simplify rights and protections by standardising these relationships across different kinds of work arrangements.

Key Points

Creates a single worker status by amending definitions of 'employee', 'worker' and 'employer' in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, the Employment Rights Act 1996 and related legislation.
Moves away from multiple employment categories to determine rights and duties, aiming for a uniform set of protections across traditional and flexible work relationships.
Aims to standardise workers’ rights across diverse working arrangements, making protections more consistent for those in non-traditional or gig-style work.

Progress

The Bill is currently at the 1st reading in the Lords, the originating house. The next step is for it to go to committee stage in the Lords for detailed scrutiny.

Who is affected?

Workers (including those with non-traditional or flexible working arrangements)Employers and businessesTrade unions and other worker representative bodiesHR professionals and employers’ organisationsEmployment lawyers and legal advisers

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Status of Workers Bill

6 Dec 2023

The 2023-24 session of Parliament has prorogued and this bill will make no further progress.

Documents (2)

Fourth Report of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee

Select Committee reportLords

15 Dec 2023

HL Bill 28 (as introduced)

BillLords

6 Dec 2023

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Status of Workers Bill [HL] | TrackPolitics